Collapsible solution container having rectangular shoulder

Abstract

A molded collapsible solution container which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and shoulder portion at one end thereof. The container defines, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross section which tapers from the shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to the one end. In accordance with this invention, the shoulder portion is rectilinear in shape, with the wall circumferences of transverse cross sections preferably progressively decreasing in length along the container from adjacent the shoulder portion toward the opposite end. Opposed triangular gusset portions are preferably present in which the side of the gusset portion which is parallel to the shoulder edge is positioned directly against the shoulder edge, and the shoulder edge defines the shape of an enlarged, generally cylindrical section for ease of flexing. Flat areas are defined in the container wall between the gussets.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a molded, collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof and defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross-section which tapers from said shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to said one end, the improvement comprising, in combination: said shoulder portion being rectangular in shape, the wall circumferences of said transverse cross-sections progressively decreasing in length along said container from adjacent said shoulder portion toward said opposite end, in which the transverse cross-sections of said container along the majority of its length beginning adjacent said shoulder portion exhibit mutually perpendicular major and minor transverse axes, said major axes being longer than the minor axes, and two pairs of outwardly-angled wall portions, each pair of wall portions defining a generally acutely angled apex connection together, said apex connections being positioned on said major axes, the transverse cross sections of said container along a majority of its length beginning adjacent said shoulder portion exhibiting generally planar central areas adjacent said minor transverse axes.   
     
     
       2. The container of claim 1 which defines a convex, arcuate seal line adjacent its flat, sealed end. 
     
     
       3. The container of claim 1 in which said wall circumferences decrease in a generally uniform manner along said container. 
     
     
       4. In a molded, collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof, and defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross-section which tapers from said shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to said one end, said container also defining a pair of opposed gusset portions adjacent said shoulder portion at opposite ends thereof, said gusset portions including lines of flexing weakness to facilitate collapse of said container adjacent said shoulder portion as the contents thereof are withdrawn, said gusset portions each defining three sides in triangular relation, one of said sides of each of said gusset portions being parallel and adjacent to an opposed shoulder edge, the improvement comprising, in combination: said shoulder portion being rectangular in shape, the wall circumferences of said transverse cross-sections progressively decreasing along said container from adjacent said shoulder portion toward said opposite end, one of the sides of each of the gusset portions being identical with one of two opposed shoulder edges, said opposed shoulder edges each comprising an angled, relatively sharp-cornered edge, said shoulder portion also defining a second opposed pair of shoulder edges extending between said gusset portions, said second pair of shoulder edges defining the shape of a relatively enlarged, generally cylindrical section.   
     
     
       5. The container of claim 4 in which said wall circumferences decrease in a generally uniform manner along said container. 
     
     
       6. The container of claim 4 which defines a convex, arcuate seal line adjacent its flat, sealed end. 
     
     
       7. The molded, collapsible container of claim 4 in which a pair of opposed lines of flexing weakness are defined in said collapsible solution container and exhibit an arcuate cross section, said opposed lines of flexing weakness being positioned on each side of the container in parallel relation to the pair of shoulder edges which are intermediately positioned between the opposite ends of the shoulder portion associated with said gussets, said opposed lines of flexing weakness being spaced from the shoulder edges in the direction of the flat, sealed end portion. 
     
     
       8. The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 7 in which said gusset portions each define an apex spaced from said shoulder portion, the opposed lines of flexing weakness being longitudinally positioned adjacent to the apexes of said gusset portions. 
     
     
       9. The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 8 in which a portion of said body wall positioned between each opposed line of flexing weakness in the solution container and its adjacent shoulder edge is essentially planar in its original, unstressed configuration. 
     
     
       10. The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 9 in which, adjacent each side of said planar area, there is defined between said planar area and a side of each gusset a triangular area which is essentially equal in shape and size to a half-triangular portion of said gusset. 
     
     
       11. The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 10 in which the transverse cross sections of said container along the majority of its length beginning adjacent said shoulder portion exhibit mutually perpendicular major and minor transverse axes, said major axes being longer than the minor axes, and a pair of opposed, outwardly-angled wall portions each defining a generally acutely-angled apex positioned on said major axis. 
     
     
       12. The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 11 in which said transverse cross sections of said container along a majority of its length beginning adjacent said shoulder portion exhibit generally planar central areas adjacent said minor transverse axes. 
     
     
       13. In a molded, collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof and defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross-section which tapers from said shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite said one end, said container also defining a pair of opposed gusset portions adjacent said shoulder portion at opposite ends thereof, said gusset portions including lines of flexing weakness to facilitate collapse of said container adjacent said shoulder portion as the contents thereof are withdrawn, said gusset portions each defining three sides in triangular relationship, the improvement comprising, in combination: one of said sides of each gusset portion being positioned at one of a first pair of opposed shoulder edges, and defining an apex opposed to said one side, said shoulder portion being rectangular in shape and defining a second pair of opposed shoulder edges in generally normal relation to the first pair of opposed shoulder edges, and a pair of opposed lines of flexing weakness defined in said collapsible container and exhibiting an arcuate cross-section, said opposed lines of flexing weakness being positioned on each side of said container in parallel relation to said second pair of shoulder edges and longitudinally spaced from said shoulder edges in the direction of the flat, sealed end portion by a distance essentially equal to the longitudinal distance of each apex from the shoulder, said opposed lines of flexing weakness occupying only a central portion of the container wall, being laterally spaced from each apex. 
     
     
       14. The container of claim 13 in which each of said second shoulder edges and a parallel line of weakness define respective areas between them in the container wall which are essentially planar in their original, unstressed condition. 
     
     
       15. The container of claim 14 in which said parallel lines of flexing weakness are positioned centrally and transversely on said container and are of essentially equal length to the second pair of shoulder edges, said planar area defined between each of the second shoulder edges and its associated line of flexing weakness being essentially rectilinear in shape. 
     
     
       16. The container of claim 15 in which said lines of flexing weakness define an arcuate cross-section having a width of 0.05 to 0.2 inch. 
     
     
       17. The container of claim 16 in which said container defines transverse cross-sections having wall circumferences which progressively decrease along said container from adjacent said gusset portions toward said opposite end. 
     
     
       18. The container of claim 17 in which said wall circumferences decrease in a generally uniform manner along said container. 
     
     
       19. The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 18 in which, adjacent each side of said planar area, there is defined between said planar area and a side of each gusset a triangular area which is essentially equal in shape and size to a half-triangular portion of said gusset. 
     
     
       20. The container of claim 19 which defines a convex, arcuate seal line adjacent its flat, sealed end. 
     
     
       21. The solution container of claim 13 in which the first pair of opposed shoulder edges each comprises an angled surface to form a relatively sharp corner while the second pair of opposed shoulder edges is of relatively enlarged, generally cylindrical section construction. 
     
     
       22. The molding collapsible solution container of claim 21 in which the lines of flexing weakness of said gusset portions which connect with the apex define relatively enlarged generally cylindrical sections. 
     
     
       23. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 13 in which said opposed lines of flexing weakness are positioned adjacent to but spaced from 0.05 to 0.2 inch away from the integral neck portion from a line extending between the two apexes of the separate gusset portions. 
     
     
       24. In a molded, collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof and defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross-section which tapers from said shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to said one end, the improvement comprising, in combination: said shoulder portion being rectangular in shape, the wall circumferences of said transverse cross-section progressively decreasing in length along said container from adjacent said shoulder portion toward said opposite end, the transverse cross-sections of said container along the majority of its length beginning adjacent said shoulder portion exhibiting mutually perpendicular major and minor transverse axes, said major axes being longer than the minor axes, and a pair of opposed, outwardly-angled wall portions, each defining a generally acutely angled apex positioned on said major axis, said transverse cross-sections of said container along a majority of its length beginning adjacent said shoulder portion also exhibiting generally planar central areas adjacent said minor transverse axes.   
     
     
       25. In a molded, collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof and defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross section which tapers from said shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite said one end, said container also defining a pair of opposed gusset portions adjacent said shoulder portion at opposite ends thereof, said gusset portions including lines of flexing weakness to facilitate collapse of said container adjacent said shoulder portion as the contents thereof are withdrawn, said gusset portions each defining three sides in triangular relationship, the improvement comprising, in combination: one of said sides of each gusset portion being positioned at one of a first pair of opposed shoulder edges, each gusset portion defining an apex opposed to said one side, said shoulder portion being rectangular in shape and defining a second pair of opposed shoulder edges in generally normal relation to said first pair of opposed shoulder edges, and a pair of opposed lines of flexing weakness defined in said collapsible solution container and exhibiting an arcuate cross-section which extends inwardly of said container, said opposed lines of flexing weakness being positioned on each side of said container in parallel relation to said second pair of shoulder edges, being laterally spaced from the apexes of said gussets and longitudinally spaced from said shoulder edges in the direction of the flat, sealed end portion by a distance essentially equal to the longitudinal distance of each apex from the shoulder, said parallel lines of flexing weakness being of essentially equal length to the second pair of shoulder edges.   
     
     
       26. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 25 in which said parallel lines of flexing weakness and the second pair of shoulder edges define respectively a pair of essentially rectangular areas between them, and in which, adjacent each side of said rectangular area, there is defined between said rectangular area and a side of each gusset a triangular area which is essentially equal in shape and size to a half-triangular portion of said gussets. 
     
     
       27. The container of claim 26 which defines a convex, arcuate seal line adjacent its flat, sealed end. 
     
     
       28. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 25 in which said opposed lines of flexing weakness are positioned adjacent to but spaced from 0.05 to 0.2 inch away from the integral neck portion from a line extending between the two apexes of the separate gusset portions. 
     
     
       29. In a molded, collapsible solution container, which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof and defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross-section which tapers from said shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to said one end, said container also defining a pair of opposed gusset portions adjacent said shoulder portion at opposite ends thereof, said gusset portions including lines of flexing weakness to facilitate collapse of said container adjacent said shoulder portion as the contents thereof are withdrawn, said gusset portions defining three sides in triangular relation, the improvement comprising, in combination: said shoulder portion being rectangular in shape, and the transverse cross-sections of said container along the majority of its length beginning adjacent said gusset portions exhibit mutually perpendicular major and minor transverse axes, said major axes being longer than the minor axes, the transverse cross-sections of said container along a majority of its length exhibiting generally planar central areas adjacent said minor transverse axes.   
     
     
       30. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 29 in which two pairs of outwardly-angled wall portions each define a generally acutely angled apex connection together positioned on the major axis and each wall portion defines a concave wall section on each side of each acutely-angled apex, and convex wall sections between said concave wall sections and the planar central areas. 
     
     
       31. The molded, collapsible solution container of claim 30 which defines a convex, arcuate seal line adjacent its flat, sealed end. 
     
     
       32. In a molded, collapsible solution container which container defines chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof defining, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross-section which tapers from said shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to said one end, said container also defining a pair of opposed gusset portions adjacent said shoulder portion at opposite ends thereof, said gusset portions including lines of flexing weakness to facilitate collapse of said container adjacent said shoulder portion as the contents thereof are withdrawn, said gusset portions each defining three sides in triangular relation, the improvement comprising, in combination: one of said sides of each gusset portion being positioned at one of a first pair of opposed shoulder edges, each gusset portion defining an apex opposed to said one side, said shoulder portion being rectangular in shape and defining a second pair of opposed shoulder edges in generally normal relation to said first pair of opposed shoulder edges, and a pair of opposed lines of flexing weakness defined in said collapsible solution container and exhibiting an arcuate cross-section which extends inwardly of said container, said opposed lines of flexing weakness being positioned on each side of the container in parallel relation to said second pair of shoulder edges, being laterally spaced from the apexes of said gussets, and longitudinally spaced from said shoulder edges in the direction of the flat, sealed end portion by a distance essentially equal to the longitudinal distance of each apex from the shoulder, said parallel lines of flexing weakness being of essentially equal length to the second pair of shoulder edges to define respectively between each parallel line of flexing weakness and each of the second shoulder edges a pair of essentially rectangular areas between them, and in which, adjacent each side of said rectangular area, there is defined between said rectangular area and a side of each gusset a triangular area which is essentially equal in shape and size to a half-triangular portion of the adjacent gusset, the first pair of opposed shoulder edges defining an angled surface to form a relatively sharp corner, while the second pair of opposed shoulder edges is of relatively enlarged, generally cylindrical section construction and in which the lines of flexing weakness of said gusset portions which connect with the apex define relatively enlarged, generally cylindrical sections, the transverse cross-sections of said container along the majority of its length beginning adjacent said gusset portions exhibiting mutually perpendicular major and minor transverse axes, said major axes being parallel to said second shoulder edges and longer than the minor axes, and two pairs of outwardly angled wall portions, each pair of wall portions defining a generally acute-angled apex connection together and positioned on said major axis, the transverse cross-sections of said container along a majority of its length also exhibiting generally planar central areas adjacent said minor transverse axes, and further in which the outwardly-angled wall portions each define a concave wall section on each side of each acutely-angled apex.   
     
     
       33. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 32 which defines a convex, arcuate seal line adjacent its flat, sealed end. 
     
     
       34. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 32 in which the essentially rectangular areas defined between the shoulder edges and parallel lines of flexing weakness are essentially planar. 
     
     
       35. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 32 in which said parallel lines of flexing weakness define an arcuate cross-section having a width of 0.05 to 0.2 inch. 
     
     
       36. The molded collapsible solution container of claim 33 in which said opposed lines of flexing weakness are positioned adjacent to but spaced from 0.05 to 0.2 inch away from the integral neck portion from a line extending between the two apexes of the separate gusset portions.